AMA

Could be it was more the company for whom your dad works than him specifically. LOTS of biz from the co. is bound to influence things. Any idea if his co. has many other CK types??

intltraveller

Don't know if other people at the co. have CK but firm probably sends a lot of travel AA's way - co. is Fortune 500 with a large international presence...

Will ask him if he knows other CK.

Travailen

Maybe I have no business chiming in on this comment, but I think you are missing the point with CK.

As has been stated in prior posts, CK has nothing to do with status and does not have anything to do with in-flight service/experiences (indeed, while there is an indication on the manifest, more times than not, the FAs are unaware of CK members, or do not seem to make a deal of it...because there is nothing for them to do.) Don't get me wrong, it is a wonderful service and if you are fortunate to have it, you enjoy it, but it does not offer you that many 'perks' beyond those enjoyed as an EXP (or whatever status you have attained) under normal circumstances (other than meet and greet, and a cart to/from gate at some stations.) Yes, during IRROPS CK is great, and they do take very good care of you, but so do EXP desk; indeed, CK desk are EXP reps, so you are often speaking to the same folks.

I also will point out the following:

If you and your wife spend $50k on travel yearly, primarily in economy (as can be inferred from your post), you are doing an awful lot of travel. You are EXPs who travel a great deal. So am I. I travel ex-ORD. That is a large airport. I know most of the AAngels at ACs and FL. I know quite a few of the TAs at check-in. When you travel a lot, as I do (and you evidently do), you get to know people. Like a neighborhood bar, you become a regular. Unless you are a jerk, I imagine the folks at your home airport take great care of you. They look out for you. They help you get to where you're going, and when things go pear-shaped, you can turn to them to help you find a resolution. This has been my experience at ORD with AAngels at AC and FL and check-in well before I was CK, and I imagine they will take great care of me after (heaven forbid).

As is often the case, how you treat people often has a lot to do how people treat you; if you treat them with sincerity, kindness and respect, they will often respond in kind.

If it is the 'VIP' status you want/need, you probably won't find that at most airlines, and you're probably barking up the wrong tree...if it the relationship you seek, then I would suggest that you already have everything you need to achieve this and don't require a little black card from AA to enjoy it.

fixedwingflyer

CK's membership runs May to May, so for CK that is normal. Just like Gold/PLT/EXP cards are good Feb to Feb.

But you're correct: there are many CK members that I have met who are not your typical VIPs, do not control vast financial empires and do not fly J or F at full-fare on a regular basis. Unlike elite status which has set qualifications, I've been told CK status is conferred for unique reasons as often as typical reasons.

It took me a long time to see the value in CK. I felt the same way your father feels. However, it just takes one snowstorm to see how quickly the CK desk finds a solution to get you where you need to me. The in-airport service is nothing to write home about.

laperk1028

I've been CK since it's inception and it is the BEST "designation" program ever! You are correct that it must be manually renewed yearly - and you are correct again, the person who controls the travel budget of my very large organization recommends me for this service. If you are travelling a lot - ask your company travel decision-maker to recommend you. CK can most often upgrade me earlier than my EXPL status will allow - they can check in for me to get the seat I want (bulkhead aisle) if on the very rare occasion I have to fly coach. CK plus the EXPL status mean a lot to AA - but you can also be CK and lower status. Additionally, if there is a flight problem, they automatically have me in 1st class usually on the next flight before I even have time to call them. The frequently meet me at the gate and allow me to board first - before 1st class (very embarrassing, so I decline). Finally, if I am in a far-away city and have a travel problem at the airport, they will dispatch a human being to come and find me and help me! WOW! Other airlines & hotels should take a lesson!^

Blytheathome

Believe it is tied to people who are also AAIRPASS customers. I am EXP and last year I was an AAirpass customer. I was given a concierge key. It was fabulous. Then when I closed mmy AAIRPASS account the concierge key was cancelled. This, despite the fact that I am still the travel decision maker at my firm of 70 architects. Nothing changed except the closure of my AAIRPASS account. FYI I have 8.5M miles with AA and have been EXP for many years
--------------------------------

ConciergeKey Services are provided to a select group of VIPs to facilitate travel on AA. The program is by-invitation only and is targeted at customers who control travel policy for large organizations. Services provided include airport escorts and assistance with reroutes, flight changes, seat changes, and upgrade requests. ConciergeKey status is reportedly not linked to elite status.

Wiki: Elite Status: ConciergeKey
FT: ConciergeKey - new AA Premium Service (consolidated)[/QUOTE]

dstan

Welcome to FlyerTalk, Blytheathome! Your post as a new member has just been approved.

It's been reported elsewhere that CK assignment is NOT automatic for AAirpass members. Accordingly, I've moved your post from the FAQ thread to the consolidated CK threads, where the possible connections between CK and AAirpass are being discussed.

/Moderator

laperk1028

[/QUOTE]


I'm not AAirpass and have been CK for 2.5 years.

oneant

I like your post.

I would also like to mention that CK provides one other service that I know of from a family member being CK.

I'm a lowly Plat. Uncle is an ExP (didn't know he was CK as well at this point--he didn't know what it meant either). I chekced in at the kiosk, and he went to the desk after his card failed to register--just wanted to find out why. He was in the First Class line at DFW, a bit short on time. She called the other guy from the Coach line up instead him. My uncle tried to jump in there, and the rebuke was swift. He went up again and, very politely, asked why his card didn't work (he flashed his CK card). She promptly paid him all her attention and motioned him to another spot, excusing herself from the guy she was helping.

She explained that it's different than his ExP card.
And he says: "So, what does this card get me?"
She says: "It means we suck up to you.........A LOT!"

I laughed my ... off.

I need to fly with him more often.

pauleeepaul

The wiki cites $50k in individual AA spending as a threshold for being invited to CK. Any ideas where that came from?

dstan

No idea. From the History, that statement seems to have been added by an anonymous contributor who was not signed in.

tom911

Or they might have confused it with UGS over at UA. There were quite a few posts over there a couple years ago that "renewal" to that status required a $50,000 spend (not the original invitation- just the renewal).

AA53

I have been Airpass for over 10 years but not CK because they aren't related one iota. I have several friends who are CK because they control corporate budgets and one who actually has a friend in AA corporate sales who gets it for him. It has nothing to do with individual travel in most cases.

asl

For what it's worth - spending > $50,000 doesn't seem to ensure a CK invitation. My 2009 spend was around $60k, and I haven't heard anything.

FlyLikeAnEagle

I recently took a trip on South African Airways. The hotel we had booked in Johannesburg had arranged for us to be picked up at the door of the plane. We were taken through customs and directly to baggage claim and then out. It was pretty amazing.

If this is what CK is all about, I won't complain. I just got invited and I did not even know that service existed. I have been ExPlat for years.

I have a trip in a couple of days, so i will keep you posted.